Swift caravan Owner's Handbook Manual page 13

Never drill the coupling head to aid the fitting
of a stabiliser.
Note: Some stabilisers may require the
towing vehicle to be fitted with an ungreased
or swan neck tow ball. Please refer to
manufacturer's fitting instructions.
Suitable towing vehicles
The caravan is manufactured for towing
behind normal road cars and is not suitable
for towing behind commercial vehicles. It is
strongly recommended that whenever a
caravan is to be towed over rough terrain,
e.g. a farmer's field or track, great care
should be taken to ensure that no undue
stress is placed upon the caravan via the
hitch mounting, i.e. reduce speed. If in
doubt, please consult the chassis manufac-
turer and the towing vehicle manufacturer
who will advise. Touring caravans based on
standard Al-Ko chassis can be towed by
four wheel drive off road leisure vehicles
providing the unit is used to tow in a like
manner to a conventional road-going car and
driven in the same considered manner.
Snaking
This is a term used to denote an unstable
car and caravan combination where the
caravan 'weaves' from side to side often
causing a similar swaying movement in the
car itself.
Causes:
i) Unsuitable or unbalanced outfit.
ii) Incorrect loading or weight distribution.
iii) Excessive speed especially downhill.
iv) Side winds.
v) Overtaking.
vi) Being overtaken by a large fast moving
vehicle.
vii) Erratic driving.
viii) Insufficient tyre pressures.
ix) Mixing radial and cross ply tyres.
Cures:
Cases of persistent snaking can be
alleviated by the use of a stabiliser, about
which your dealer will advise you.
On the road
If you do find your outfit snaking, try to keep
the steering wheel in a central position as far
as possible, decelerate and avoid braking if
possible.
OTHER IMPORTANT TOWING
CONSIDERATIONS THAT COULD AFFECT
STABILITY
Types of tyres fitted
The tyres fitted by the manufacturer are
suitable for towing at sustained speeds of up
to 81 mph (130 kph).
Radial and cross ply tyres should never be
mixed. It is dangerous and can cause
snaking.
The Towing Code
Periodically tyres should be rotated to
equalise wear in the same manner as car
tyres.
Do not mix four ply/six ply/eight ply tyres on
the same axle.
Tyre tread
The law requires that tyres and pressures
must be suitable for the use to which they
are being put. The minimum tread depth of
both car and caravan tyres must be 1.6mm
throughout a continuous band comprising
the central three quarters of the breadth of
tread and around the entire circumference of
the tyre.
Tyre pressures
Towing vehicle's tyres must be at the
pressures recommended for towing or heavy
loading as stated in handbook not on tyre
wall. Towing stability may otherwise be
affected. The pressures can be found in the
towing vehicle handbook. The caravan tyre
pressures should be as recommended in the
specification details in your handbook.
Note: Although the caravan may be fitted
with the same type of tyre as the towing
vehicle, the pressures specified are different.
All charts show values for cars and are
therefore not applicable for caravans.
Pressures displayed on tyre walls apply
ONLY in North America and Canada.
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